MW: Coming up: March consumer prices, Empire state
By Jeffry Bartash
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - Monthly reports on consumer price inflation and manufacturing activity in the New York region are set to be released at 8:30 a.m. Eastern. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch expect the Empire state index to fall to 15.5 in April from 17.5 in March. The consumer price index, meanwhile, is forecast to rise 0.5% in March. The core rate, which excludes the volatile food and energy categories, likely rose 0.2%. The rising cost of petroleum and many commodities have started to feed into higher consumer prices, which have climbed 2.1% over the 12 months ended in February. While inflation still remains relatively low, investors are paying careful attention to whether prices continue to rise. Rising inflation tends to result in higher interest rates, less buying power for consumers and a weaker economy.
